Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center
Chrysanthemem leucanthemem L. (Leucanthemem vulgare
Lam.)
Oxe-eye daisy, white daisy (Asteraceae)
Current level of impact
Known locations in RMNP: Found in a few disturbed areas. Three miles
north of Grand Lake entrance, planted at Kawuneeche Park.
Assessment: Currently has an intermediate number of known populations
with patchy distribution in RMNP. When added together, all populations would
cover an estimated area less than 5 hectares. Oxe eye daisy appears to be
having little impact on natural processes. However, in other natural areas
plant has been observed to invade and modify communities.
Distribution
Origin: Introduced from Europe as an ornamental, has escaped cultivation.
Geographical distribution: Widely distributed throughout U.S. except
the northern Great Plains. Also found north into Canada.
Ecological distribution: Roadsides, fields, and other disturbed sites.
Meadows, pastures, old fields and waste grounds. Escaped from gardens and
established in meadows, around mines and ghost towns in the mountains.
Reproduction
Perennial, reproduces by seeds and short rootstocks. Capable of forming small
colonies. Flowers June to July. An annual cold treatment must be received
by basal roots to initiate flowering.
Seed production: Each plant produces over 500 seeds, average number
of fruits/plant is about 2700.
Seed longevity: Seeds have the potential to remain viable in the seed
bank for at least 2-3 years.
Germination: Most fruits germinate autumn of the year they were shed
or the following spring.
Competition
Level of impact: If given the chance, this plant can become noxious
and is capable of taking over pasture. Has potential to invade and modify
existing communities.
Control
Little information has been published on mechanical, cultural, or biological
control of this species. One important consideration is that seeds remain
viable in soil for at least 2-3 years.
Mechanical: An option for small scale control is to dig out the plant
before the heads are produced, being sure to get the underground parts.
Chemical: Herbicides active on ox-eye daisy are 2,4-D, Banvel (dicamba),
Tordon (picloram), Arsenal (imazapyr), and Oust (sulfometuron methyl). These
herbicides are not, however, specific to oxe-eye daisy. Plant is moderately
resistant to MCPA, 2,4-D, and dicamba.
References:
Schwabe, W.W. 1950. Factors controlling flowering in the Chrysanthemum. I. The
effects of photoperiod and temporary chilling. Journal of Experimental Botany
1 :329-333.
Schwabe, W.W. 1951. Factors controlling flowering in the Chrysanthemum. II. Day-
length effects on the further development of inflorescence buds and their
experimental reversal and modification. Journal of Experimental Botany 2:223-237.
Stubbendieck, J., C.H. Butterfield, and T.R. Flessner. 1992. Chrysanthemum
leucanthemum L. pp. 225-227. In An Assessment of Exotic Plants of the Midwest
Region. Final Report. Department of Agronomy, University of Nebraska, Lincoln.